Alberta government facing scrutiny over bourbon distilleries tour in Kentucky

Summary

• Alberta's government faces scrutiny over the taxpayer cost of a September 2025 delegation to Kentucky bourbon distilleries that included a staffer's husband.
• The office of Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally states the husband, Gary Davidson, paid his own personal expenses but documents show he did not reimburse his share of group transportation costs.
• The NDP Opposition labels the trip a taxpayer-funded booze fest & demands Nally repay $5,400 for the distillery tour costs.
• Nally's office declined to answer questions about whether the minister consumed alcohol during the tour or explain why Davidson was invited to meetings with Kentucky lawmakers.
• Premier Danielle Smith states the trip aimed to help develop & promote Alberta's whisky sector by learning from local distilleries.
• The government maintains that no alcohol costs were billed to taxpayers.
• This report by The Canadian Press was published on Nov. 10, 2026.